On September 16, 2025, Greater Family Health celebrated the opening of its 12th Community Health Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1515 Lee Street in Des Plaines, Illinois. Designed as a community-centered gathering, the event welcomed staff, Board members, and local partners into the space not as spectators, but as collaborators and neighbors in our mission to expand access to care.
CEO V. Guadalupe Fonseca, along with other staff and providers, personally led tours of the new facility, showcasing our services including internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. Guests also learned about the clinic’s advanced technology, translation services, and its designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), which ensures high quality and affordable care for all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
The celebration brought together a wide range of supporters, including the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Andrew Goczkowski and city staff, representatives from Endeavor Health NCH, Ascension St. Alexius, and staff from State Representative Michelle Mussman’s office. Nonprofit partners such as Birth to Five Illinois, Camino Rising, Access to Care, The Salvation Army Des Plaines Community Center, and the Frisbie Senior Center also joined in support.
Following the tours, guests gathered in the patient waiting area for brief remarks from Lupe Fonseca, Board Chair Lizette Leanos, and other community leaders.
Lupe shared key statistics that reflect our commitment to quality. She noted the booming growth and the organization’s recent recognition by HRSA for clinical outcomes. Greater Family Health currently outperforms the Illinois average on 14 of 18 clinical outcomes, and the national average on 13 of 18, demonstrating the impact of its patient-centered approach and dedicated staff.
Board Chair Lizette Leanos also spoke, sharing her personal experience as a college student without insurance who found care at an FQHC. Her story underscored the importance of accessible healthcare and the role Greater Family Health plays in meeting that need.
Finally, Mayor Andrew Gozczkowski, Alyssa Lombardo of the Des Plaines Chamber, and Jacki Kaiser from Representative Mussman’s office all expressed their well wishes and welcomed Greater Family Health into the community.
The event concluded with a ribbon cutting outside the Health Center, symbolizing the opening of new opportunities for care, connection, and community. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and look forward to serving Des Plaines and surrounding areas.
Check out some of the images from the event below:
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- Jacki Kaiser from Rep. Michelle Mussman’s office
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- Greater Family Health CEO Lupe Fonseca
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- Greater Family Health Staff
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- From left to right: retired CEO Bob Tanner, GFH Board Member Kasia Zarow, CEO Lupe Fonseca, previous Board Chair Debbie Everett, current Board Chair Lizette Leanos
